Don’t be an easy mark for trademark scammers

UND has of late been the target of unscrupulous trademark service providers.

Any mailing, message, or bill that you receive from an outside entity that includes the word “trademark” is a red flag. Without exception, ALL inquiries, questions, comments, and concerns about the University’s trademark portfolio should be referred to the Office of General Counsel.

General Counsel manages all of UND’s trademarks in-house, and does not use external service providers.

If you receive an “invoice” or “reminder,” even from a company with an official-sounding name (like “Patent & Trademark Office” or “Patent and Trademark Bureau”), that promises trademark renewal and/or monitoring services, discard it or contact General Counsel for further instructions.

The only times a department would be asked to pay any trademark-related fees are via purchase card at the request of General Counsel when an application or renewal is finalized or via an inter-departmental transfer at the request of the General Counsel’s office. In both cases, you will receive a receipt.

If you have any questions, please contact Jason Jenkins in the Office of General Counsel, 777-6345, or by e-mail at jjenkins@nd.gov.  The Office of General Counsel is located in Twamley Hall, Room 116, and at Mail Stop 8196.